Hurricane Dorian looks like she might pose a real threat to a large portion of the southeastern United States. So what’s that mean for Folly Beach?
The trajectory of this storm has changed a lot over the past week, so no one is sure where she will end up. However, storms change paths quickly and it seems more likely than not it will impact Folly Beach in some way. So, it’s important to keep an eye on the situation and take reasonable steps to prepare should the storm make landfall in our area.
Here are some things to do in advance….
Be Prepared to Evacuate
No matter where you are on the coast, it’s important to know the proper protocol for your area’s evacuation route. Pay attention to meteorologists, and evacuation notices. Be safe and evacuate early to avoid traffic and booked hotel rooms. This is especially true this year since evacuation starts during a holiday weekend.
If you are on vacation, check with the homeowner or rental agency to see what the plan of action is regarding refunds. Don’t ruin a vacation by acting too early, but know your options, and you should have some if hurricane warnings and evacuation orders are in place.
Gas Up the Vehicle
Make sure your vehicles have enough fuel to make it long distances or while sitting in traffic during evacuation. If you stay, local stations are often unable to dispense due to shortages or electricity outages.
Get Cash
While traveling, it’s always a good idea to have cash on hand. If you are in an area where the electricity goes down, that means banks and ATMs will be unable to dispense cash. Businesses will also be unable to take credit or debit cards. Have enough cash on hand and secure so that you can buy supplies after the storm when necessary.
Get Supplies
It’s a good idea for anyone living near the coast to have a set of supplies for an emergency like a hurricane. Make sure to get enough food and water to last year each person in the family or group one week.
Also, if you take medicine, make sure you have at least a 30 day supply on hand as pharmacies will likely close in the event of a strong hurricane.
Be Prepared to Communicate
Batteries for radios and alternative chargers for phones and other devices will help if the power goes out. Having a method to communicate and find out about important updates is important, so make sure you have a way to hear the news.
Stay safe!
